The Texas UIL state football playoffs continue this weekend with the state semifinals, and nine schools from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have a chance to punch their tickets to next week’s state championship games at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
Here is the UIL state semifinal schedule of games featuring teams from the DFW area.
FRIDAY 12/08
South Oak Cliff (12-2, 6-0, first in District 6-5A Division II) vs. Frisco Emerson (12-2, 4-2, third in District 3-5A Division II), 5A Division II, 7 p.m. — Ford Center at the Star (Frisco)
South Oak Cliff recovered from two early losses to 6A teams to make a run in 5A and is now one win away from playing for a third consecutive 5A Division II state championship. Meanwhile, Frisco Emerson and quarterback Michael Hawkins bring a high-scoring offense that can strike at any moment into the most significant game in its short program history, with a chance to reach its first state title game.
Anna (13-1, 5-0, first in District 8-4A Division I) vs. Decatur (10-4, 4-0, first in District 4-4A Division I), 4A Division I, 7 p.m. — C.H. Collins Athletic Complex (Denton)
Anna spent most of its season atop the local 4A rankings, losing only to Celina, another top 10 team, throughout the season. The Coyotes took control of their regional final game with an impressive second half last week and will face Decatur in their first-ever state semifinal game. The two schools met in the season opener, with Anna escaping with a 37-30 win.
Forney (13-1, 6-1, second in District 7-5A Division I) vs. Aledo (14-0, 8-0, first in District 3-5A Division I), 5A Division I, 7:30 p.m. — Midlothian ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium
After an impressive season, Forney is in the state semifinals for the first time in 21 years but will have to go through the defending state champs to continue its run. Going back to last season, Aledo has won 28 consecutive games and could be on the verge of adding a 12th title to its standing state record.
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SATURDAY 12/09
DeSoto (13-0, 7-0, first in District 11-6A) vs. Southlake Carroll (13-1, 6-1, second in District 4-6A), 6A Division II, 2 p.m. — Eagle Stadium (Allen)
Both 2022 6A state champions are still alive, and DeSoto will aim for a repeat trip to Arlington against Southlake Carroll. The Eagles sent a message across the state with an impressive regular-season win over Duncanville. They now face a Carroll team that has rolled through the playoffs with little trouble, including a 56-7 thrashing of a Byron Nelson team it had lost to in the regular season.
Duncanville (12-1, 6-1, second in District 11-6A) vs. North Crowley (14-0, 7-0, first in District 3-6A), 6A Division I, 3 p.m. — Memorial Stadium (Mesquite)
Duncanville is the other defending 6A state champ and spent most of the season as the No.1 6A team in the state. The Panthers have annihilated their playoff competition and will face a North Crowley team enjoying its best season in program history and making its first state semifinal appearance since 2003, just four years removed from a losing season.
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South Oak Cliff defeats Lovejoy to reach semifinals | South Oak Cliff Golden Bears/Facebook
